Essential Foods for Your Anti-aging Diet

As of yet, there has NOT been a food discovered that can reverse the affects of aging.  However, there are parts of the food and medical (cosmetics comprises an entire anti-aging world unto itself) establishments that are devoted to identifying and marketing anti-aging foods.  That is, foods that can slow down the appearance of aging, prevent cognitive decline and promote heart and bone health.

Before you read down the list, there are a few generalities that I discovered while researching this topic.  Firstly, as always seems to be the case when I research healthy foods, eating a variety of brightly colored foods is discussed on almost every reputable site.  These foods tend to be nutrient rich and full of antioxidants.

Next, all the sites I visited had certain food commonalities for those in search of the best anti-aging foods.  And those commonalities were fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, fish and other lean proteins.  Finally, they all, justifiably, stated that anti-aging foods were only part of an anti-aging plan.  Sufficient sleep, limited sun exposure, and exercise are considered the other primary elements for those wishing to stave off the affects of aging.  Just some things to keep in mind as you browse through the list below…

1. Blueberries – This tiny, spherical, blue fruit appeared on every anti-aging list I located. It seems they are bursting with vitamins A and C as well as various antioxidants.  They are also cited as assisting in smoothing out fine lines and they also promote cognitive benefits.  Grab a hand full and sprinkle them on your breakfast oatmeal every morning.
   
2. Avocados – This fatty fruit with the golf ball in the middle showed up on just about every anti-aging diet plan I found. Avocados also appear on just about every list of healthy foods, whether it’s anti-aging, heart, or brain health.  Their monosaturated fats  (the healthy kind, obviously) aids in skin hydration and assists your body in absorbing the vitamins that your skin needs.
   
3. Oranges – And any other fruit high in vitamin C. It seems that not only does Vitamin C boost your immune system, but it also helps in the body’s production of collagen, the most abundant protein in the body.  It’s present in our bones, muscles, connective tissue and, yes, our skin.  Collagen gives our skin that supple, baby-like appearance and, of course, its production declines with…wait for it…age.  Well, vitamin C can assist in slowing down the lack of collagen production as we age.
   
4. Cold–water fish – like salmon, especially wild salmon as opposed to farm-raised. They possess the much sought after omega-3 fatty acids which, among other things, strengthen skin cell membranes and help reduce chronic skin inflammations like eczema and psoriasis.
   
5. Green tea – especially for those suffering from hyperpigmentation (brown spots caused by overexposure to the harmful affects of the sun). This anti-aging drink contains something called catechins which has been shown to prevent and reduce those superficial brown spots.
   
6. Bone broth – Sounds like something the witch from Hansel and Gretel would concoct, but rest assured it’s not…I think. As its name implies, this soup contains everything necessary for healthy bones, including calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, silicon, and sulfur.  It also aids in the reduction of inflammation, joint pain and arthritis.
   

While the above foods should not be considered part of a reverse aging diet (remember, there’s no such thing) they can and should be part of your anti-aging diet.  Just remember, eat a variety of fruits and veggies with vibrant natural colors, nuts, and lean proteins and your body just might return to its 20s form…probably not, but you just might be able cause people to have trouble guessing your age.